MLL Supplemental Draft

The 2011 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Supplemental Draft takes place tomorrow afternoon (December 14), and the Boston Cannons are looking forward to adding 12 players to their current 23-man roster.

The Cannons will have a variety of players to pick from, including established MLL figures and former Cannons Kevin Leveille and Matt Alrich. The Cannons, who have the fourth pick, will look for the ‘diamond in the rough,’ but will also keep a close eye on local players.

“Our general strategy coming into the supplemental is the same every year,” said Cannons Head Coach Bill Daye. “Our goal is to find talent that can help us compete for an MLL championship whether it be a local player, a player who took a season off or a player who was released from a roster at the end of last season. Each year, we've been fortunate to find a couple of players who have come into training camp ready to compete for a roster spot and contribute.”

The breakout star of the 2010 Supplemental Draft was Pat Heim, the Cannons’ first round pick. Heim was the first overall pick in the 2007 Entry Draft by the Chicago Machine. With the Cannons for his third MLL season, Heim totaled 14 goals and two assists.

Additionally, the Cannons added a number of locally grown players who made an impact on the 2010 season. Most notably, midfielder Matthew Smalley of Cumberland, RI, who was second on the team with 41 ground balls, and Wellesley, MA native Mike Stone, who scored in his first professional game and totaled five goals on the season. Chris Ajemian of Duxbury, MA and Providence, RI product Bruce Bickford were also picked up in last year’s supplemental draft.

Add 2010 collegiate draftees Max Quinzani and Steven Boyle, of Duxbury and Derry, NH, respectively, and the Cannons could almost field an all-New England team.

“It’s a testament to the progression of lacrosse in New England,” said Cannons General Manager Mark Kastrud. “When the league first started 10 years ago, there were only a couple guys from the Boston area playing. We love adding more local players to the team – it makes the draft more interesting and helps grow our fan base, especially with the youth players. It adds an element of familiarity to the professional players they’re watching and looking up to.”